Eliav GabayVideo by: Devon Henry
Sweet, sweet redemption. On the same field they lost in heartbreaking fashion this time last year in the title game – Henri MacArthur and the Scorpions finally got their rings.
Not only for the guys on this roster, but last year’s players and coaches who didn’t get to taste the sweetness of victory on Frank Kush Field. Winning the 5A Football State Championship is one thing, absolutely dominating is another. That’s exactly what DE did – beating Cactus 28-19.
LIFT. THAT. TROPHY‼️ pic.twitter.com/3mRYtNKZZN
— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) December 7, 2024
The 14-0 halftime mark included one scoop and score from the defense that was nearly two fumble recoveries for touchdowns before one was called back…pair that up with the likes of Jamar Beal-Goines leading the defensive backs – makes for a pretty tough assignment for the Cobras.
It also foreshadowed the kind of football the second half would provide, with the Scorpion defense continuing to bring the pain. Desert Edge finished by recovering a startling FOUR fumbles – indicative of the havoc they reeked throughout their journey toward raising that golden football.
Not to mention, crucial sacks down the stretch as well, thanks in large-part to DE senior Jerry Washington’s work on the line.
Don’t sleep on that offense though; Desert Edge kept chugging along, knowing its big play would come. And it did.
With just under three minutes to go in the third quarter, Blake Roskopf tossed a 76-yard bomb to Elijah Sherbin-Fox, making the score 28-0 at that point. Roskopf ended the night with 256 passing yards to go along with a pair of touchdowns.
While Cactus made a run toward the end of the contest, but it was too little too late – Scorpions walk away state champions.
AIA High School Football Championships continue Saturday with the 6A Conference Championship at 1:00 p.m. and the Open Division Championship at 6:00 p.m.
